North Cook News

South Korea welcomed U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-Dist. 10), who traveled to the Asian nation last week as part of a delegation from the Village of Wheeling and the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago.

The delegation discussed efforts to reunite North and South Korean relatives, as well as efforts to boost U.S.-South Korean trade relations.

“Not knowing anything about the life of a parent, sibling or child who lives only a short distance away is a sad truth for thousands of Koreans," Dold said. “This is a human tragedy, and it should be treated as a human rights issue. It’s time we prioritize these reunification efforts so that these families can finally be at peace.”

Dold visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone to express his commitment to helping reunify families divided by the Korean War. Dold said he had asked for South Korea's help to ensure that Korean-American families are involved in the reunification process moving forward.

During the visit, Dold said he stressed the importance of U.S.-South Korea trade relations and why enhancing the economic and cultural relationship between District 10 and South Korea is so important.

"As a small-business owner and the representative for the fourth-largest manufacturing district in the country, I understand how important it is to increase American trade; 96 percent of the world's customers live outside the United States,” Dold said. “International trade generates economic growth and new jobs, and improves the quality of life for millions of people.”